Some of these hunters may be retired, but they continue to work hard to preserve their local wetland.
McLachlan Lake (unofficially named) is located in the Garnet Valley, not far west of Peachland, BC. This site was brought to attention by Bryn White of the South Okanagan-Similkameen Conservation Program as she observed changes in the wetland over the years while riding her horses through the valley. Two major threats to this wetland are year-round overgrazing by up to 200 cattle and damage from off-road vehicles. A site survey revealed chewed-down vegetation, soil compaction, recent cattle droppings, and pugging (pools formed by cattle footprints). Such overgrazing and off-road mud-bogging are common challenges affecting hundreds of wetlands in the Okanagan region.
The restoration project was straightforward: replace existing barbed wire fencing to keep cattle and off-roaders out of the wetland. With the help of volunteers, 900 meters of new fencing were installed in just four days. Dave McLelland and Doug Penny from Meadow Valley Construction used their excavator to remove old fencing and install new posts. They guided volunteers on how to tighten and staple the barbed wire. Local rancher Dave Casorso also assisted with the posts and wire and was involved in the project’s planning process. Dave Carleton from the Summerland Sportsmen’s Association devised a method using his ATV to lay the barbed wire. Upon observing vehicle tracks through the field, Ray Paulsen of the Summerland Sportsmen’s Association remarked, “I have an ATV and I’m a hunter, but I have too much respect for wildlife and I would never do this to a wetland.” This project exemplifies how members from local fish and game clubs can come together for conservation.
This collaborative effort included Bryn White (South Okanagan-Similkameen Conservation Program), Dave Carleton and Ray Paulsen (Summerland Sportsmen’s Association), Dave McLelland and Doug Penny (Meadow Valley Construction and Summerland Sportsmen’s Association), Lia McKinnon (Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society), Lorraine Bennest, Sue George, Murray Rooney (Summerland Sportsmen’s Association), and Jillian Tamblyn (Water’s Edge Consulting and coordinator for Phase 2 of the Okanagan Wetland Strategy). Special thanks to the provincial FLNRO Range staff—Charles Oduro, Rob Dinwoodie, and District Manager Ray Crampton—for their support and prompt approvals. The project was made possible through financial support from the Central Okanagan Regional District, Wildlife Habitat Canada, Environment Canada, and was supported by the British Columbia Wildlife Federation (BCWF) and the Okanagan Basin Water Board.
The project was made possible through financial support from the Central Okanagan Regional District, Wildlife Habitat Canada, Environment Canada, and was supported by the BCWF and the Okanagan Basin Water Board.
BCWF Watershed Team 
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